"Companies don’t compete against other companies. Networks compete against networks." - Competing in a Flat World
I'm often asked, "what is a network orchestrator?". It is not a concept that I created from thin air. As the network orchestrator of a global business solutions firm, one of my primary goals is to help our clients understand that network orchestration goes beyond connecting people at a business function.
One of the best explanations of a network orchestration is presented by Dr. Victor K. Fung, Dr. William K. Fung and Yoram (Jerry) Wind in their book, Competing in a Flat World. In the book, they examine the role of the network orchestrator related to focus, management and value creation. The network orchestrator focuses on the following in comparison to traditional methods:
1. The complete network in the firm vs. the firm. 2. Empowerment of the components of the network vs. rigid controls. 3. Creating value through integration vs. the command and control method.
At S4X, we do not own manufacturing plants. We do not own distribution centers. We are not investment bankers. We are not a law firm. Although we have a location in Indiana, we are not an Indiana Life Science company.
We create solutions for our clients utilizing a global virtual business network. We orchestrate the formation or a specific network for a given client situation. The result is a flexible solution which can be short-term or long-term. All the components of the solution work to create a true client centric solution because we focus on the client situation versus the individual needs of the components.
Think of S4X as the guest conductor for an all-star jazz band at an international jazz festival. We work to bring the various talented musicians to create a beautiful melody for the audience.
It takes more than one link to create a chain. In a similar fashion, the supply chain of a company involves several links to be complete.
As a business consulting firm, we are currently involved with the creation of a supply chain management company. When I say supply chain, I'm describing a business focused on warehousing, fulfillment, logistics, transportation and the underlying technology. Going through the process of educating myself about this industry has given me a deeper respect for the connection points necessary to make a business run.
Most companies tend to think that the most important supply chain is the one which helps achieve a client interaction. What about the supply chain that helps a company function. Have you ever though about what it takes to get that pen you are using to your office and into your hand? Here's a clue: it doesn't just magically appear at Staples. Whether you are an Indiana life science company or a marketing firm from South Africa.
What does your internal supply chain look like? Do you manage it the same as your client-facing supply chain?
The use of the correct words to convey your company's message is paramount. This is true whether you are crafting a blog post for online social networking or attending a meeting for one of your business networking groups.
We have started to use a new tool (thanks to my attorney - Dave Castor) to assist our clients with crafting a consistent message. Along with all the other tools on the market, we have found Wordle to be a simple tool for quick check up. Of course, we also utilize the Wordle program. In a world or exponential amounts of information, a consistent message is key. The image above is the most recent snapshot of our blog. We are happy to see that our focus areas are represented including clients, business consulting and international/global.
Have you used Wordle in the past? If not, you may be surprised by the results. What are you really saying to your clients and partners?
With all the doom and gloom news about the current global economy, I think there is not enough discussion about the education of the children who will and are growing up in this era of change.
Global education issues continue to be impacted by a lack of funding sources. As a result, the youth will be impacted without even having an opportunity to assist with solving the problem.
Corporations and governments are concerned about the quick fix for the current problems without investing in the real drivers of a stable future - the education of our childern. To be fair, there are several international education organizations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Global Education Fund working to solve the problem.
I think it is time for more public-private partnerships to invest more time and money into our educational systems. Without well-trained and well-rounded youth as the next generation of the workforce, we will have even more problems in the future.
Does your company promote a better education system?
Shortly after I posted the post about our new division, I received an email from Twitter notifying me that "PlayPumps Intl (playpumps)" was now following me. I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. PlayPumps International is combining one of the joy's of being a child with the benefits of physics and good marketing.
According to their website, PlayPumps International’s mission is help improve the lives of children
and their families by providing easy access to clean drinking water,
enhancing public health, and offering play equipment to millions across
Africa.
This organization combines global education and business to solve one of the most serious global issues (not to discount the capital market issue). If you still don't think that online social networking can benefit your organization (for-profit or NGO), you are missing the proverbial boat.
"With the world in turmoil and doubt, the American people, faithful to the values that have always defined America's identity, have expressed with force their faith in progress and the future. At a time when we must face huge challenges together, your election has raised enormous hope in France, in Europe and beyond." - Nicolas Sarkozy, French President (Reuters)
As President-Elect, Barack Obama will become the first African-American President of the United States. With that being said, the focus should not be on his ethnicity. The focus should be on the goals of the campaign and how those goals will shape the future of the United States and with President-Elect Obama's global peers, our world.
The strategic implementation of President Elect Obama's campaign plan was the key to his campaign victory. His campaign stayed focused and did not stray when competitors tried to steer the focus away from the real issues. They utilized online social networking, virtual teams and other online communities to enable people from different ethnicties, religious beliefs and social-economic backgrounds to collaborate for a common cause.
In politics as in business, the great leaders surround themselves with solid advisors. As a leader, President-Elect Obama shifted paradigms by working with and being supported by Republicans including Senator Richard Lugar and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
The future holds many unknowns for the United States. If President-Elect Barack Obama and his team operate during his term as they during his campaign, the United States will move in a positive direction. Additionally, we must remember that the actions of thousands of people contributed to the success of his campaign. Change will not happen just because Barack Obama is the President-Elect. Every American must continue to take action to make our country a better place.
What are you doing to impact your present and our future?
Last night, I spent four hours in a strategic planning session for a non-profit board on which I am chairperson. During the meeting, I was reminded about a few business benefits of participating on a non-profit board. Of course the opportunity to impact the people in my community is never lost on me. From a business perspective, you can learn about best practices for business networking and business development. Additionally, you can learn what not to do in a board meeting for your business.
For the first two items, the non-profit world must constantly get out their message and cultivate donors and volunteers. This is no different than cultivating clients both internal and external.
As for learning what not to do, the lessons can be endless. There are several lessons but two that I think are most important are getting materials out early and board members reviewing the materials. This can ensure a productive and action-driven meeting. One of the best blogs I have read about this area is the Market Mine blog by Penny Herscher, President CEO of First Rain.
A good example of an organization that crosses the line between non-profit and for-profit is the social entrepreneur-driven organization. Have you reached out to one? You may learn something new.
At the end of last week, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting for the Marriott Diversity Ownership Initiative. This meeting introduced me to new terms related to the hospitality industry such as RevPar.
My attendance was due to a client/partner project. This project involves the creation of a fund to acquire limited-service hotels in the Midwest and Southeast portions of the United States. We will then utilize various partnerships to execute acquisitions.
What intrigued me was the level of collaboration by the participants and organizations such asNABHOOD - The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers, Inc. The environment reminded me of the open source world of the information technology industry. We were sharing knowledge and creating virtual business partnerships through casual business networking. Additonally, I was pleased with the program and how it also focused on our domestic emerging markets as opporunities to create jobs.
In future posts, I will let you know how this project plays out. In the meantime, have you thought about a best practice from another industry that can be utilized in your business?
With all the talk about economic crisis, one would think that the world is coming to an end. I tend to be a “glass is half full…let’s find more to put in it” kind of person. Just because the markets are in turmoil doesn’t mean that deals are not being done and good products (not just ideas) are being funded.
Most of those deals are happening below the radar. In my opinion, this happens due to a combination of creative minds, economic issues and atypical business networking groups.
The first two drive the product development. I use “atypical” for the third because most business networking groups are very open. Business development and networking activities with a group that is closed can yield excellent results. This group should include people that can make the deals happen without spilling the beans too soon.
A great example is Solyndra. If you haven’t heard about them, you will very soon. They are a startup that has raised $600 million. Check out this post about Solyndra on the Green Wombat blog by Todd Woody. They stayed below the radar and focused on their product and next thing you know…$600 million. This is happening in the current economic crisis.
Are you focused on what can’t happen or what is happening and could happen?
His book and blog help to remind our team to keep it simple. We currently have a couple of clients in the early stages of business formation. I have recommended that they take a look at the book. Although our clients don't have too complex of a model, they have a terrible time describing the model without a glut of PowerPoint slides.
In this fast-paced world of business blogging, online communities and the search for a way to stand out from the crowd, why not try something that has been sitting in your lap and is simple to use.
By the way, we are working on refining our napkin. I will share it with you in a future post. Have you read the book? What's on your napkin?
"...I'm not firing people because I'm mean or heartless or don't care about people. I'm just not willing to forsake the future of thousands of kids for the comfort of a few adults."
-Ms. Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of DC Public Schools
This comment by Ms. Michelle Rhee, Chancellor of DC Public Schools represents the philosophy that all administrators and staff should have in the K-12 education system. With the demographic trends continuing to show a widening gap between in the education landscape, I think it's about time that adults stop being the lead weight holding back our students.
One big issue is the position taken by teacher unions to maintain something close to status quo. Maybe they should take a look at the issues faced by unions in the business community. Major corporations are not including unionized areas in their strategic implementation plans. In a more basic example, the unions of the U.S. automakers have forced the creation of alternative business solutions to make up for financial issues.
I thought we learned a long time ago that, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."
This morning, I read a press release with title "National Law Enforcement Leaders: Dropout Rates Fueling Violent Crime" issued by an organization named Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.
The global education landscape has many issues. This press release focuses on the issues in the United States. Once again, the pundits and officials have convened to report on a report that high
school dropouts in the United States are less likely to be productive members of society.
The press release speaks to the lost wages and taxes, and the costs for
incarceration. The sad thing is that this is yet another group of
adults that are wasting money gathering data that yields the same
results and trends from a decade ago.
In my opinion, let's stop wasting money on reports and invest (time,
money and skills) in our youth. Too often, we cut the funding or
invest in archaic, corrupt or mismanaged school systems. If these
school systems were corporations, they would be out of business.
The corporate world needs to take action as well. For a sustainable business, you need a diverse a deep talent pool. As dropout rates increase and graduation rates decrease, the talent pool is depleted. One way to help your chances is to include high school internships in you strategic plan implementation.
You might ask what we are doing at S4X to help the cause. We require our employees to
volunteer 1% of annual hours worked. Personally, I am a mentor in the
Starfish Initiative in Indianapolis.
You might want to pay attention if you are not involved. The future of your business is at stake. In the United States, we easily create business solutions yet we have difficulty creating solutions for the education system. What are your thoughts on the education system in your area?
I just finished speaking with my friend Dave Castor of Alerding Castor LLP. During the past few weeks, he has been moving at a hectic pace to grow his business. This is the life of an entrepreneur who advises entrepreneurs on the legal issues related to business formation and international licensing agreements.
The world of the entrepreneur is constantly changing. Dave has recently added business blogging to his list of weekly action items. Fortunately for Dave, his firm's has several contributors to spread out the responsibility of creating content for the blog.
To stay ahead of the hectic pace, Dave has scheduled time with himself today and tomorrow. Although it sounds counterintuitive to take time away from business development, I think it is a good decision. In my opinion, working at a hectic pace without time for yourself leads to a cluttered mind and workspace. Clutter is not good.
Have you scheduled a regular meeting with yourself? If not, why?
A global market requires terms that are more representative of its realities. A description based on geography is like comparing apples to oranges. Whether your organization is located in London, South Africa or Dubai, the landscape of your industry should be described by how you interact with complimentary and competitive organizations.
In the New York Times yesterday, the article titled,"Cost-Cutting in New York, but a Boom in India", mentions the terms "knowledge process outsourcing" and "off-shoring". While these are standard terms, do they actually describe the nature of the relationship and the interaction. Why not keep it simple and say our "research department" or "customer service department". Global organizations already operate under a virtual business model. If you have more than one location, you are operating virtually in some form. As a result, I think there is not a need to add the geographic description.
As demographic trends continue to evolve, business solutions from diverse global locations will increase. Have you explored global partnerships? If not, why haven't you?
As a business consulting firm, we use practical connections for creating solutions. Last night I volunteered for the Drum Corps International World Championships in Bloomington, Indiana.
From the press box, I watched the collection of individuals in each of the drum corps execute on the movements and musical notes. They moved onto the field, performed and moved off the field as one unit. Each individual doing his or her part to make the system work. The drum corps have been working on these performances for several months.
A business could learn from the focused efforts of these corps. In the off-season, they have their strategic sessions. In the spring, the strategic implementation begins. In the summer, the execution and refinement begins. Behind the scenes, the business social networking occurs amongst the executives of the corps and the typical social networking occurs between the corps members. All of this occurs in a highly competitive landscape. For example, each year, more than 8,000 students audition for the fewer than 3,500 positions available in top-tier DCI member corps.
If you have never attended an event, I highly recommend you check it out. In the meantime, they have a promo video that helps to showcase the event.
Lessons can be learned in the most unlikely places. Are you keeping your eyes open for learning opportunities?
A good friend contacted yesterday because he read this blog after receiving my updated contact information. After reading the blog, he wanted to connect to discuss the blog and he wanted to make an introduction to a few potential clients. Socializing with a good friend, business development and business networking all the result of a blog. Go figure.
In a more traditional manner, my previous blog, "Aim, Fire, Ready.." mentioning Guy Kawasaki's blog - How to Change the World helped a client to convince his partner to move forward on starting their second business. Of course, it was Guy's words not mine. I was happy to make the connection.
Yes, you read the title correctly. On the recommendation of a colleague, I've just started reading, The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki. After I researched Guy, I found his blog, How to Change the World.
In the book, Guy talks about starting and not waiting for perfection. I think this holds true for most situations. For business blogging, I have to remind myself to write without limits then send it. I can refine it later. If you are in the business development role, you will never have the perfect situation to further the relationship or make the sale.
As a solutions-based business consulting firm, we work with our start-up clients to help them understand that starting the business now is better than waiting for the "right time". If they aren't moving forward on their idea, the world will pass them up.
I recommend this book for many reasons but the primary reason that it speaks to starting now. Business formation does not need perfection to happen, it needs action. Are you starting or planning?
In a recent article in the NY Times titled As Travel Costs Rise, More Meetings Go Virtual, Steve Lohr talks about the increasing use of videoconferencing by global firms. The rise in travel costs was discussed as a reason for this increase.
In part, I agree with Mr. Lohr. Yes, the travel costs are increasing. Additionally, I think leveraging technology in order to increase the ROI per employee should be considered. As a business consulting firm, we view the refinement of the technology as an internal and external benefit. Internally, we are able to decrease our costs and increase business development opportunities by the use of webinars, business blogging, social networking sites and videoconferencing. Externally, we are able to work more efficiently with our clients by using similar technologies.
For start-up firms, the use of telepresence technologies can help to increase your efficiencies and set you apart from your competition. The adoption and acceptance of these technologies will only increase.
Are you positioning your organization to benefit or will you be left on the sidelines while your competitors be the market leaders?
On Wednesday, I attended a conference titled, "Nanotechnology: Concept to Commercialization...What You Need to Know". The hosts for the event were The MEK Group and Barnes & Thornburg LLP. The stated purpose of the event was to bring together academia, entrepreneurs, service providers and investors to discuss current status and future potential of nanotechnology.
From my perspective, the global business of nanotechnology is moving forward. The presenters, especially global education leaders including Purdue University, informed the attendees about how nanotechnology is already being used in multiple industries.
Additionally, the collaborative efforts of these international education institutions were discussed. One example was nanoHUB. This is another example of how online communities are crossing borders to achieve a goal.
Although there is still much to learn about nanotechnology, our firm will be looking for the opportunities for business formation. Through the collaborations of academia, investors and entrepreneurs, businesses will be formed. The question of leading or following is the main challenge.
What collaborative efforts are happening within your industry between academic research and the service providers related to commercialization? If you are a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization), what are your observations with regard to the current state of collaborations for common goals or missions?
Stay healthy. Help the environment. Save money. Business Development?
Yes, I did say business development. In a world of online communities for social networking like Facebook or LinkedIn, a simple yet complex sport can lead to a healthy business and a healthy you.
While purchasing two of the company vehicles for S4X, I had the opportunity to have a great conversation with Brian Gootee, the owner of Gray Goat Sports. We discussed how cycling can help your personal life and your business. Brian mentioned his experience of observing the business cycling culture of California while on a trip for his other endeavor M4 Sciences. Instead of the golf course, the deals were being done on 2 wheels. There are even organizations including, CEO Challenges, combine business and cycling.
My advice to a client considering the acquisition of several "Cruiser" bicycles for his employees. A healthy and happy employee is a productive employee.
At S4X, being eco-friendly and physically active are a part of our core principles. We are commuting to work via bicycle, walking a few minutes to lunch rather than driving and competing in organized sporting events. For my part, I am planning on running a Half-Ironman in October. I'll let you know how it impacts our quadruple bottom line.
When was the last time you thought about bicycles being a part of your fleet of company vehicles? On a smaller scale, have you tried commuting to work via bicycle? Once you make it a part of your culture, you know what they say..."It's like riding a bike, you never forget."
"Companies don’t compete against other companies. Networks compete against networks." - Competing in a Flat World
It takes more than one link to create a chain. In a similar fashion, the supply chain of a company involves several links to be complete.
With all the doom and gloom news about the current global economy, I think there is not enough discussion about the education of the children who will and are growing up in this era of change.
A global market requires terms that are more representative of its realities. A description based on geography is like comparing apples to oranges. Whether your organization is located in London, South Africa or Dubai, the landscape of your industry should be described by how you interact with complimentary and competitive organizations.
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